Overview
Kyambura Gorge is located in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park and it has been a chimpanzee sanctuary ever since. It has attracted many tourists who come for chimpanzee trekking especially those that visit Queen Elizabeth National Park combining game drives in the park with chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge. Kyambura Gorge has tropical forests therefore the gorge hardly gets dry and there is a flowing river Kyambura which provides water for chimpanzees and this has kept the chimpanzee numbers thriving.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge is one of the most attractive activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park and you can always combine game viewing and chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Chimpanzees are our closest relatives and they are very intelligent compared to other primates. They live in large groups called communities of up to 100 members in the group with a male dominant who gives directives, especially in the morning when they go out to look for food. Chimpanzees mainly feed on wild fruits, tree stems and leaves, and termites. They also hunt small primates like monkeys, baboons, and young antelopes. These chimpanzees always hunt in groups.
Initially, chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge used to cross to Kalinzu, Maramagambo, and Katsyoha-Kitoma forests to mate however due to human encroachment the corridor was destroyed, and are now trapped in the gorge. The alternative way is to only cross through the open savanna but due to predators for example leopards, lions, and hyenas, they don’t. Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge starts in the morning at the guest information center where you are told the guidelines to follow while tracking chimpanzees.
To get access to these primates you need to have a permit from UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority). This is the body responsible for the operation of the national parks, game reserves, and all protected areas in Uganda. The cost of chimpanzee permits in Kyambura is USD 100 for foreign non-residents, for foreign residents, it is USD 80, and for East Africans, it is UGX 50,000. Chimpanzee tracking permits can only be obtained through a registered local tour operator who buys the permit from UWA offices on the client’s behalf. There are always 8 permits issued for morning trekking and 8 permits for evening tracking, therefore there are 16 chimpanzee permits available daily in Kyambura.
To get to the chimpanzee you have to go down the gorge which is about 200 meters down with the help of a guide ranger to lead you to the chimps and see where the chimpanzees dwell. After you have met these primates you will spend an hour with them as you take pictures and videos. Chimpanzees in Kyambura unlike other chimpanzees in other destinations are familiar with people and often come down from trees and roam on the ground and this gives you a chance to explore their beauty. When you visit Kyambura Gorge you don’t only enjoy seeing chimpanzees but also other wildlife for example elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, birds, and the magical scenery of the gorge itself.
Best time to track chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura can be done through the year however it is best during the dry season in June to September and December to February. This is when the trails are dry, the fruits ripe and you can easily find the chimps. This is a peak season and expect to encounter a large number of tourists. However, solo travelers or those who don’t want large groups can visit during the wet season. This is because there will be no congestion in the park, it is also during this period when the vegetation is very green.
